Rainy days

Well, today has been a pretty steady downpouring of rain and a gray cloudy day outside. It doesn't matter since I haven't had to BE anywhere. For that, I am thankful. I was out of town for 2 days and staying busy. I'm feeling some better. Since I attended the High School Open House tonight, I was reminded of my daughter's absence - the choir sang the National Anthem and they sounded so good, as usual! I remembered last year's Open House when I walked around with her and visited all of her teachers who always have had wonderful things to say about her.
I was able to meet a new teacher this year. An art teacher who says my child is very talented and that she will be pushing her to create outside her comfort zone; I re-met the Latin teacher who always has a lot of information; of course, the choir teacher and assistant; and finally a re-meeting with the math teacher who summarized how the semester would unfold. I think that three of these classes are okay (math always has lots of home/practice work) but the english class will require a lot more effort.
Am preparing for a birthday weekend as we take Labor Day weekend off! Hooray for ALL holidays!!

Tired...

Well, we returned home last night after an exhausting 2 days to help move one of my girls into her dormitory. The weather was HOT and humid; she was up 3 flights of narrow stairs (crowded with other students, dads, and family!); we had more shopping to do and then all the electrical and computer cords and wiring! It was a full and successful time. We spent the night with good friends, who we then took out to breakfast the next morning. Then to make a bank deposit for daughter, and then out to lunch before another trip to Walmart and Lowe's. Last minute things, you know!
I'm already planning another trip down on Monday, perhaps with two of the grandparents. It is still 4 days before classes start, but they are going to be busy with team-building exercises and ropes courses, all things designed to get the kids bonded and knowing each other before school starts. I'm excited for her, as well as anxious. I know that it will be harder than she expects and it will be more fun than she can imagine. I'm also sad for myself, as I have another one that is leaving the nesting area of my wing-span! It's a hard thing. As we move through the transitions that God has laid out for us, He is always there, but I'm not always open to talking. It is a problem when I'm depressed.
Anyway, just wanted to post an update.

Sunday Smiling

I have to say that today has been a much better day... even though I was dreading it and woke up about 5:00 a.m... I had told one of my daughters on Saturday afternoon that I was planning to go to church even though I didn't want to... maybe just saying it out loud helped me push through the painful anticipation.
Sunday School was good, but another hard lesson from Romans. Kinda weird, talking about Rejoicing in our sufferings because it produces in us perseverance, then character, and then hope. I mean, who needs character anyway?!! Wow. God's Word is always so powerful. I don't know why I struggle so much reading His Word or talking to Him when I'm feeling so down and depressed. Logically, I KNOW these things, but my feelings just overpower my good sense sometimes. That's why it is so good to have a godly husband and godly friends to pray for you and lift you up. Anyway - if you want to read some of this deep-ness, Romans 5 is the location.
And then tonight, we had a Ministry Fair at our church and it was so good to be doing something useful. I almost felt like my normal self. Oh I'll be so glad when this latest valley is a faint memory.
Hope you had a good weekend as well. Chat with you soon.

Sandy's Smiles

Where IS the Joy??
Well, after a night of crying myself to sleep, I can only surmise that I'm depressed. Do I have reasons for this? I suppose, but it's no way to live. Oh, I can ACT the part and do what I have to in order to fulfill my responsibilities, but I am having no joy. Things... well, I don't even want to share them "out loud"... you would wonder why a Christian person would even suffer in this way? Well, I wonder... my DISC personality is a "C" - this is an easy test that Larry Burkett first shared on his website and I have really learned a lot about myself and others, and yet - it doesn't help me to cope with things when they ALL come crashing down at the same time. If you aren't familiar with this personality inventory, it's very good and very accurate. You can find it here (http://www.crown.org/tools/personality.asp). Don't forget to share with me, okay?
Still waiting for a smile from someone, anyone??

Sandy's Smiles

Technical Difficulties, eh??

It's been a little while since I've been able to post. We've had more than the usual summer thunderstorms here and have had some power/technology issues. Who would have expected that in this modern age we live in...

Anyway ~ one of the things that happened while I was "out" --- it was the first-ever Sales Tax Free weekend in our state and so we used that time to purchase school clothing and needed items, even a computer. I also celebrated my birthday with family. And church has become like high-school drama land lately. All of these things are more detail than I can bear to relate. Just know that my life continues to be full in all ways. I need a smile from you, can you share?

Hump Day...

I am pondering why Wednesday is called "Hump Day"... does anyone know? I have found Wednesdays to be difficult, in different scenarios and for different reasons. Working at the church, it was a hard day because that meant I was there in the same building from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (regular hours) and then over to the fellowship hall for the supper hour and then continuing into the evening for the regular midweek activities. That's a very long day. On the other hand, as a non-working person, Wednesday seems to be the day that we are just anticipating the weekend and how can we get through the rest of this week?! It's funny I suppose... if anyone has an idea, please comment. I'd like to hear it.

Smile for today: A sense of humor can help you overlook the unattractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with the unexpected, and smile through the unbearable.